SOFTBALL: Area Rankings

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Enough about all pitchers in high school already. Although I'm a huge Jessica Ferri fan. I love that kid. She has never turned down a request to come out and help other teams and to work with other players in the area. If their is air coming from a player on a cold winter night its Jessica Ferri working hard into the night out on a field.

What about the position players? If you think this blog is full of piss and vinegar just wait until some dad who hasn't picked up a bat in ten years reads his daughter isn't the best short stop in the area. Wow, were in for some fun.

I'll start it off by saying I think Anna Edwards, freshman, from La Canada is the best catcher in the area.

Okay fire away, I'm ducking over here in the corner.

In the mean time who is the best:

First base ________________

Second base _______________

Short ____________________\

Third Base ___________________

Left Field ___________________

Center Fielder _________________

Right Fielder _________________

Lead off hitter __________________

Third in the line up ______________

Clean up hitter __________________

Best eye at the plate _____________

Best base stealer ________________

Worst Umpire _______________ just kidding

If you quote Max Prep you're disqualified.

Gentlemen start your engines, because if you thought their were cry-babies in this blog before, just wait until you respond to this request.

I'm sure the majority of the posts will be annonoymus.

I almost forgot if their is a word misspelled and you want to point that out you can't reply. If you were a yell leader in high school you to, can't reply. Just kidding.

With the assistant football coach moving over to girls softball at LC, does that mean the current head football coach is gone at last?

Once again, Scott doesn't do the softball rankings.

San Marino should be #1 again this week...because Scott says so!!

007Bond,

La Canada beat both Harvard-Westlake and Temple City this week! Congratulations to the players and the coaches! It was a great week for LC softball!

I believe that is a perfect game preceded by a no-hitter by Jessica Ferri.

Gee 007Bond ... I bet you feel pretty silly now!

Deja vu San Marino

SP 11 - SM 3

Good point Fred...everyone should visit
www.wagglepop,com
and have some fun.

Oh, I miss softball on this side of town. For what it's worth, which probably isn't much, I did cover softball down here the previous five years, and thought Temple City, South Pasadena, Alverno and FSHA returned the best teams. Temple City is in the semifinals of the Arroyo tournament and if they beat La Serna and Bishop Amat or Los Altos in the final they deserve to be No. 1, no doubt about that. Arcadia still has a lot of talent, just not the pitching to compete, especially in the Pacific League. Monrovia lost a lot of good players and pitching so they're down, and I didn't see this coming from San Marino, who should be the area's biggest surprise, right? I don't know if the talent level is down, but when you think of the top two teams last year, Monrovia and Arcadia, it gives the appearance the area is down. Monrovia is def. in a rebuilding mode and Arcadia has great field players, but you've got to have that big-time pitcher in the circle, especially against the teams they compete against. You should all cut Keith and Scott a little slack, it takes some time to get a feel of the area you cover, especially the first year. I'm having the same problem at the Tribune trying to identify the area's top teams and programs. Believe me, you get a better feel the second, third and fourth years.

Also, Anon 11:38, 15 hits was CV's Maxpreps scorekeeping, and is way overstated. If you talk to anyone who saw the game, over half of those were unquestionable routine fielding errors. FSHA is very fortunate that she is such a great pitcher and so proficient at striking batters out, because if a batter puts the ball in play, even the most routine of fielding plays becomes an error. Not only is she not 2nd tier as you state, she's one of the very best. Also, you asking the question, "who are the Jets" shows your ignorance.

Anon 11:38,

You are just as wrong as Scott. When great players leave, it opens places for kids to step up and they are doing it every day. We may say it was a "down" year at the end of the year if things don't pan out, but to say it now is uninformed and ludacris. Remeber all of these "great" teams puttered out in CIF last year.

Ferri also had 8 k's against CV and if they were in our area they would be far and away the best team around. She struck out Bailie Kirker for goodness sake! The Jets are a top 18 Gold team that plays all around the country and are very well respected. Their pitcher from last year is playing for Cal Poly this year and they usually qualify for Gold Nationals which is amazingly hard to do, especially in California.

By the way, I take offense to the idea that a TC parent does 75% of the posts, I know that I do at least half and I am not from TC.

Here is my top 10:

1. TC
best overall team, pitching could be the achilles.
2. SP
best combination of team, pitcher and hardest schedule, has to hit.
3. Alverno
easiest schedule with great pitcher people will forget there non-league losses after they mop up there league.
4. FSHS
Best pitcher will help them overcome problems, it is tough to win when you have to K everyone.
5.LaSalle
Best long term program - will overcome problems
6. San Marino
pretty good pitcher, we'll see how they hit against quality pitching
7. Arcadia
Dusty Gibbs, Curly Grimes, and a couple improving young ones will keep them alive. Outside of CV it is a pretty weak league. Burbank may push them into a wild-card berth.
8. Maranantha - They have a couple of kids that can win games by themselves and they will have to do that when they play better teams.
9.Keppel - I know very little about them, but I have heard they belong here.
10.La Canada - Still has a lot to prove, should have plenty athletes from the area.

Readers of this blog should know that about 75% of the posts are from the same person who happens to be an obsessed Temple City "supporter." Do you have a job dude?

Scott,

You heard right. Local softball is down overall this year. Jenna Rodriquez was great and she set the bar pretty high for those to follow. (As did the Monrovia three of McWhirter and Mihms') Outside of Escamilla and Parada there is a huge drop off in pitching. Ferri is one of the girls on that next tier. As is Meyerson, Herlache and Sommers.. Didn't Ferri give up 15 HITS to CV last week and who are the Jets??

1. TC
2. Alverno
3. SP
4. La Salle
5. San Marino
6. Maranatha
7. FSH
8. Arcadia
9. La Canada
10.Monrovia

Wake-UP,

Stop being rude! Blogs are for opinions/discussions. Reporters who set up the Blog can state their opinions. Don't overreact when you disagree with someone else's post, or if someone disagrees with you.
CHILLLLLLLLAXXXX!

San Marino @ South Pasadena today.

A very exciting 1-8 matchup. According to the rankings SM should pound them.

I guess the rankings having Monrovia 9 and Arcadia 10 were off just a bit after yesterdays game.

Where do you come up with or how do you dream up that I have hatred for Jenna Rodriguez?? I stated facts about where she is attending college. Nothing more-but I will add that it's nice to see a young player have success and take it to the next level.
As far as my being a fan-I'm a fan of all sports at every level. I'm also a parent who thinks that "news" people especially those who cover High School sports should tell the stories factually, report out the scores and stats and keep their opinions to themselves.

Gee willikers, lets say we make it the best darn "down year" we have ever had! Who said we have to have an "upyear" to be successful......Was it a "down year" when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? NOOOO And it aint a "down year" now! Cause when the going gets "down", the "down" get going!!!! Lets do it!!!!!!!

Scott,

I am also wondering which coach told you it was a "down year?"

Scott,

What did "wake up" say about Jenna? That is the college she goes to and she is doing quite well. 15-3 accrding to their website.

Wakeup, why is my statement so offensive to you? Since you don't have a vested interest, why so hostile? Who have I mocked? I made one statement. I'm starting to think you're not a softball fan at all. I brought Jenna Rodriguez in the first place because, you should've already known this, but she was Freddy's Player of the Year last season.

Jenna Rodriguez is at Yavapai College in Arizona. The Lady Roughriders are a very good team at a very nice school. Their team colors are green, white and gold I think. (for Scott's benefit)

its definitely a down year for softball

"Coaches is whare I heard it was a down year"
Since this statement will get back to the high school players themselves-you should state which coaches made this comment to you. If you are not prepared to do that-then don't use their words without explaining the context in which these feelings were presented.
Fortunately all these girls you have disparaged are competitors and athletes and it can be used as motivation. Unfortunately, these kids are once again exposed to the ignorance of the uninformed/mis-informed media.
These parents that you mock for their opinions and passion have seen alot more softball in the area than you have Scott and while they may be biased-there opinions have alot more value to them.
By the way-I'm a parent of a college athlete and don't have any vested interest in any schools that you cover.

Hows the Arroyo Tournament?
and
Hows La Salle Doing?

I agree, lets move on and keep our personal attacks to the columnists.

What was the La Canada/Westlake score?

This is a really angry blog. Can we just talk about softball here. i dont think any of these were made to be offense, maybe out of line. I actually can see that they said she was a good pitcher. I think shes great too.

What sort of adult would stoop so low as to try and wrongly discredit a high school athlete (such a quality one at that) and then attempt to back it up with false assumptions and pure lies. YOU'RE SICK!

I believe you were the one that posted something about jenna rodriguez in the first place scott. take it easy on em haha.

WOW!!! the "jenna rodriguez" reference came from nowhere. I'd say someone really has issues.

travel ball... high school... major difference. Ferri really is a great pitcher, wasn't trying to put her down at all. I've also seen her compete at the travel ball level.

Believe me she is a great pitcher as well, why were you at nationals?

Arizona has some of the best JC's in the country. Which one did she go to?

no one ever said ferri wasn't a great kid.

I think you were talking anon 9:59?

anon 10:59, your envy and jealousy is getting the best of you. you should be ashamed of yourself. you're wrong on all counts and i'm not even sacred heart parent.

Anon 9:59,

I am not "Mr.Ferri", but I have seen the kid play travel ball and I am not from Sacred Heart, and she was not the starter at nationals because she was a sophomore and there was a little starter for the batbusters named Donna Kerr who is now hurling for UCLA and may end up being one of the greatest ever like may of Haning's pitchers do. Trust me, just the fact that she played for Gary Haning puts her above and beyond any pitcher in the area. That team had four pitchers, Kerr, one from Tennessee who has the national record for strikeouts, one from Freedom High School in Northern California and the sister of Amanda Williams, and Ferri. I believe she now plays for the Jets (a very good team) and I believe she is their prime time pitcher. I also believe Kerr is going to pitch for Haning again this year and it makes sense for her to want to start somewhere. Careful, Ferri is a great kid, please don't get personal.

LCDAD,

Yesterday at 1:30 there was a nice blog post commenting on LC softball and responding to the previous “007Bond” post. The poster offered a pretty positive opinion supporting the new coach and effectively rebuffed the illiterate rants of “Mr. Bond”. Notably the positive post was a few hours before LC’s upset of Harvard-Westlake. I hope the sideline quarterbacks let the new coach do his job, and the fact of the matter is not only is he doing a very good job, he’s doing a much better job than any of them. As for “007”, ignore him … people recognize him for who he is.

Go LC, keep developing your young talent and I’m sure you’ll find success.

I agree that high school and travel ball are two different things, i mean have you seen these top pitchers at nationals? i didnt see FSHA's pitcher with the batbusters at nationals???

mr. ferri why dont we give a chance for everyone to blog.

oh and the world is coming to an end now that jenna rodriguez is gone cmon...she went to a JC in Arizona the talent hasnt went out the door.

LCDAD,

My daughters tee ball schedule has been more competetive than San Marino's.

Scott, you've watched one game and have decided upon that team and pitcher as tops? Not to mention, you've made the judgement that this a down year for softball.

Not the best example of objective reporting!

I wholeheartedly agree with you about Ferri. High School is going to be a small part of her pitching career. Hell, she played for Gary Haning and probably will again.

I would focus some attention on her if I were you Scott.

One area she doesn't lack in is heat, I guarantee you that she is throwing in the low to mid 60's. You do not want to get hit by her pitch.

007Bond

You do not know what you are talking about.Looking for a fourth La Canada coach? Everyone is happy with the current head coach and the program is his as long as he wants it. They have had a decent season thus far and if you look at pre league games LC's schedule has been a bit more comopetitive than that of San Marino.

Potentially more talent, but in different places. You have to watch games to judge properly. Watch for some of the young ones making names for themselves.

Not a hint, by the way. I only mentioned TC because I believe that they have the most talent across the board on their team.

Anon 7:42,

You think that kid lacks "heat"? Year to date this season she already has over 100 K's. And her command is unbelievable with a number of pitches ... I'm sure her BB total is single digit to this point of the season. In her 2
meetings with Alverno this season she K'ed over 2 dozen and I don't think she BB'ed a single batter. She's the most modest kid you'd ever meet, and from what I hear there is a long line of big name D1 universities (including Pac10) that think her heat is pretty good and are actively recruiting her
right now as a junior.

The pitcher at South Pasadena and pitcher at Alverno are excellent, but this other kid is something very special.

absolutely more talent this year ... there just isn't as much at Monrovia or Arcadia as last year.

Is that a hint of what team you root for. But Temple City one team out of about 34 area teams. Again, I have never said there is no talent in the area. But are you telling me there's more talent this year than last?

Anon 8:19,

I agree with you, and that is my point with Jessica Ferri.

I will not agree with you, the talent on Temple City alone disproves what you are saying. And I can't help but believe that since you've seen ONE game this year, ONE, your opinion is limited in its value. I am sure that once you do the rounds you will see that there has been some natural shifts in power, but in some ways the talent could be better because of the kids that left and their work ethics and the standards that they left behind.

Let's not get crazy and even think that what someone does in high school will even closely relate to what they will do in college! Visit a travel ball game where the best are playing and you will then see who the best local pitcher is. You will be surprised how big a difference there truly is.

With what the area lost from last season, it's pretty safe to say that this is a down year locally so I won't take that back. But, so what, I never said there isn't any talent locally. I've seen Escamilla, and can tell you she's a lot better than she was last season. Striking out 10 against Los Altos proved that. She's also a solid hitter with a little more pop than what she had a year ago. I'll be seeing plenty more softball down the road. I can't be in 10 places at the same time, although I try.

How dare you call me defensive!? (that's a joke.) But what are you basing your opinion on, and it is alright to take it back.

It is kinda funny how people tell people to relax on a blog, I can see it if someone is ripping on a kid, but outside of that this is an environment for strong and opinionated rants, thats what makes it fun, I think.

I think in the end Jessica Ferri may pan out to be the best in college. She is all alone right now but seems to be learning how to carry a team. (I am not from Sacred Heart.)

Plus, there are no San Marino haters (for being #1 that is), even the fans and coaches there know that they haven't played anybody, that is what makes it funny. Who knows, they may end up being the best but you sure can't tell right now. That is why you don't hear any defenders right now.

Parada - a bulldog, no one better with a game on the line.

Escamilla - give her an average defense behind her and she's the best, period.

Ferri- will be a great one, needs to gain a few more mph on the heat.

Arcadia won 8-0.

It was an opinion, not a defensive statement. Seems like you're the one who's defensive. I'm just getting a laugh out of this. Coaches is whare I heard it was a down year. And didn't you say Parada was the top pitcher?

What happened in the Monrovia/Arcadia game?

Nicole Parada, Michelle Escamilla, Jessica Ferri (possibly the best pitcher coming out of our area ina along while), Shelby Gogreve, Alex Aguirre, Kaitlin Ellingsworth, Veronica Grant, Curly Grimes, Dusty Gibbs, Michelle Mun, Barbara Parker. These are all great returning players, plus several more.

I have a question Scott, if you are watching mostly baseball, how can you say that this is a down year in softball. Did Kieth tell you?

The reason i said it was out of control is because it seems like such an uninformed defensive statement.

There are several kids this year that will be playing in the NCAA next year.

It's nice to see someone else agrees with my Area TOP 5! Well, top three anyway...
'RHL FAN' Mar 12, 2008 2:01pm

1. South Pasadena
2. Alverno
3. Temple City

and a long way down...

I've seen Alverno, against Arroyo. I've covered mostly baseball, hence having Keith Lair do the softball rankings.

Anon: What are you talking about (Hart coaches)?

Who cares how the Star News ranks teams? Some of you are allowing the subjective opinions of a local newspaper high school sports reporter to upset you? Try a little perspective. Enjoy having the opportunity to watch your daughters compete and try to understand that in the long run it doesn't matter and will all soon be a faint memory!!! The best teams, as always, will win and the poor ones will lose...no matter where the Star News ranks them!

Many teams lost outstanding players from last season (La Salle, Monrovia, Arcadia). Throw in the top pitcher from Rosemead. So you can throw out insults and put down other teams, but when I have on opinion on what's supposed to be my blog, I'm out of control?
Why don't you explain how this year's crop of players is better than last year's?
Escamilla and Parada come to mind in terms of top-flight returners. Any others?

Scott,

Which teams of the Top 10 have you seen play this seen and who did they play when you saw them?

When you spend all that time relying on the opinions of the Hart coaches-I guess you have to pick out a school like Arcadia to take care of you down here.

Scott,

You are way out of control with the softball is down conmment. Rodriguez is the only top pitcher not returning and there is a huge pool of talent and competetive teams out there. If you want I will name all of the great players out there and you can put them down individually. I was a big fan of yours when you took over but you are really starting to show your true colors.

"Softball is down" is PSN talk for Arcadia is down.

So what you're saying Anon is that it's ok for people to rip the rankings, but they're afraid to put they're own rankings. Kind of a weak excuse. Come on people, if you can complain, you must have an opinion. Step up and put your rankings or your complaints have no basis.

Wakeup, I'm not throwing Keith or anybody under the bus. If you read the paper, both our names are listed as putting together what's known as the rail. Keith is in charge of softball rankings, and I do baseball and volleyball.
Now as far as softball not being down, how can any objective person not know that? Is there talent? Sure. But not nearly as much as last season. I don't see Jenna Rodriguez out there anymore.

Might want to use the spell check next time.

Scott,

I disagree with your opinion that this is a down year for area high school softball. I think as the season goes on you'll see some of the more competitive match-ups between good teams. There are also several area student athletes that are very accomplished both academically and athletically who are Div. 1 bound and have little interest in the opinions of a bunch of uninformed petty parents.

As an aside, every week I'm fearful to see the PSN update to their Top 10. Every week I personally hope that my duaghter's team is not ranked #1 just so she and her teammates can be ripped up by jealous wanna-be adults who anonomously post negative opinion just so they can elevate their underachieving daughter and her uncompetitve team.

There are 2 reasons people don't respond to your request for others to voice their Top 10.

- they know their daughter's team is not worthy of ranking and would never be able to bare the scrutiny of this blog, thus by, hurt the furtherance of their personal agenda. Or,

- they know they have a valid opinion which may include their daughter's team but it isn't worth it to state an opinion to give the jealous wanna-bes the opportunity to rip their duaghter and her team apart.

Forget Ramona Convent.
We should be ranked too! We beat Keppel once!

"Softball, across the board, is down in the West SGV this year"
Nice comment. Nice job of supporting the high school athletes who are doing their best.
Wait- maybe you can throw Keith under the bus again and blame him for those comments.

Scott

Just deal with the reasons people do not think they should be #1, why don't you.

TC should be #1 and my kid doesn't go there.

I'm getting a kick out of the San Marino haters out there. Who should be Number 1? Softball, across the board, is down in the West SGV this year. Instead of bashing Keith's picks, step up to the plate and tell me who you think the top 10 teams. I'm sure your No. 1 will be the team your kid plays on, but that's fine.

Hi Scott! Could we be #1 next week? There's donuts in it for you...please!

San Marino softball is a joke. Our rec ball teams could kill the teams they've been playing! Number 1, I mean seriously come on?! Also someone forgot to mention the fact that 4-5 girls couldn't play in the Rosemead game due to suspension or some other conflict. That's half the team! I don't think any of the teams they've been playing are worth anyones time.

One word: Overrated

monrovia plays at arcadia today will this game be covered?

Think thats bad...Scott's been outscored 326-10.

San Marino's opponents have been outscored 263-103 this year.

I think the point about Alverno is that over the last few years they have played no one and have put up great statistics and winning percentages against no one but they received accolades for that. People have said well all they need to do is play some good teams and they will be brought back down to Earth. Now, this year they have played a couple of decent teams and they have done that, come back down to Earth.

According to maxpreps against Sacred Heart they struck out 15times the first game and 13 times the second game.

Michelle Escamilla is a great pitcher, and that is important to a good team, but so is challenging yourself and not only putting yourself in a position to get guaranteed wins. They have changed a little bit this year and that is good. Earth isn't such a bad place.

san marino's schedule is weak as usual...can someone analize teams they beat? any of those schools had a winning record or rank in cif top 10.

Look who Alverno's losses are to before you bag on them. 1-0 against Los Altos. That's a big feat for such a small school considering LA is the Tribune's No. 1 team.

I will change the record. Again, for those who didn't read this before, Keith Lair did the softball rankings.

That's actually what we've been doing every Tuesday morning since I've been here. We usually have mug shots of the Athletes of the Week and short writeups of other players that had big weeks.

No, I went with the top players regardless of position. You do realize that if I did it your way, the teams would have been dominated by Flintridge Sacred Heart and Mayfield players? Then we'd be having a different argument. FSHA's top nine players could've been on the first team and about three from Mayfield.

hahahaha YEA SM

i wouldn't overlook TC, and i am an SP fan.

yeah anderson quit...ironic since it was at the same time as his star pitcher ( rodriquez) graduated

San Marino? Really? Huh?

Please.... Alverno loses 3 games. Two by one run to upper division teams (including Div lll top 5 Los Altos)and one to an upper division team when their pitcher was on a school required retreat. South Pas gets beat by the powerhouses in the OC. Lets be honest here - it's Alverno and South Pas and no one else is even close.

Don't pick on the FSHA fans- they are still upset because Harvard Westlake is coed and beats them like a drum.

did arcadia's anderson quit coaching this season...why?

Anon. 5:27, I don't think Sacred Heart is in the Rio Hondo League and I don't recall any mention of Sacred Heart in this blog.

CIF is a different animal because most teams from Orange County dominate talent wise. OC is the home of travel ball and most schools from that area have an abundance year round players. This is in most sports, not just softball.
But it is especially true in softball, so maybe SP is doing the right thing by going down there early and competing against them. Even if the season doesn't end perfect for them you have to admit that they are pushing themselves more than any other team in the area. After playing San Marino on Friday, they go to El Segundo High School on Saturday and play a double header against the team they lost to in CIF last year and that team is ranked #1 in CIF for D5. Then while they are playing league they go back to OC for the Savannah tournamment. It may not give them a great record but it should prepare them for CIF.

Go to maxpreps schedules and see which teams are challenging themselves.

Are people seriously complaining about volleyball? That was definitely too long ago to be brought up now. And it's true if Gabrielino played teams like Flintridge Sacred Heart they would get blasted. And you would never question if Kim should be on the All Area Team.

Scott, your rankings are great for the week. People will complain endlessly. No worries.

Yep..that powerful Rio Hondo League is feared every year going into CIF.

Readers of this blog should know that about 75% of the post is from the same person who happens to be an obsessed Temple City "supporter." Do you have a job dude?

Alverno is 3-3 (not, 4-2), and their 3 wins came off of weak teams. How are they put at #2 in the Top 10. Their pitcher will undoubtedly beat up on their Horizon League competition in CIF Div. 6 but that is no where near the same level of competition as Rio Hondo.

I would not put South Pas at the top right now. Their only win came against a very depleated Arcadia team. In the early going their ace has had some struggles. My bet is that they'll right the ship in their league play, but at this point I wouldn't put them in the top 5. Their upcoming Temple City game will be an early indicator.

Nor would I put LaSalle in the top 10. They have played very weak competition thus far in Duarte and their win off of the only competition of note was a forfiet. I heard they really struggled against decent competition in a couple of pre-season games. My guess is that they'll really struggle against Alverno, which unfortunately will be a precursor of what's to come in their league play.

Scott,

This is not a complaint, but more a suggestion. In previous years the PSN Top 10 was updated every Monday with a new picture or 2. Included under each of the 10 teams in this listing were a few sentences indicating some specific highlights of the past week and also a few objective editorial observations. Is it possible to go back to that?

Would Alverno intentionally put a good Rio Hondo team (let alone San Marino) on their schedule? They've played a couple of good teams this season but it was out of their control and happened by chance in tournaments. Last season they "postponed" playing a scheduled game with South Pas and wouldn't respond to the numerous attempts to reschedule the game. South Pas should have recorded it as a forfiet win.

Area's Top 5:
1. South Pasadena
2. Alverno
3. Temple City
4T.La Salle
4T.Sacred Heart

Dear 007Bond at 6:05,

First off, the change of high school softball coaches from season-to-season is not unusual and is a challenge that many teams have to deal with, and isn’t an excuse for any team. Frankly, I do believe the La Canada coach is doing a pretty decent job. He took over a team that has numerous dramas on many levels and he has done a decent job of doing the best with what he has. He has a very young and inexperienced team, and although some older kids have quit, it was probably a good thing. Not that they were bad kids but they haven’t been successful for the past several years and they didn’t have the necessary level of discipline and they weren’t willing to make the commitments that are necessary to get better in this level of competitive environment. Although a fresh start with some very inexperienced faces is trying in the short run, in the long run it should payoff. Although he has some talented players, they lack the experience to maximize their talent.

There are 2 quick answers to get better in a competitive level of high school play.

- Find a talented pitcher who has true high level of experience (Rec. league all-stars, and parent coached or low level local travel ball is not high level experience).
- Fill the schedule with games with uncompetitive teams.

There isn’t such a pitcher, at present or in the near future, that exists in La Canada that has truly developed their talent at “A” level ASA travel ball, and the Rec. league doesn’t develop kids to that level. Being a relatively large school, it is unlikely that they’ll ever be able to move to a lower CIF division, and it is doubtful that many of the other local CIF Div. 5 in less competitive leagues would be willing to add La Canada to their schedule.

Bottom line, the “quick answers” are pretty unlikely. Therefore, patience will have to do, and give the new coach a chance. Also, the kids with the potential need to find better off-season teams and coaching beyond La Canada.

Scott- you completely ignored volleyball positions and the skills needed at those positions when you picked your all area girls volleyball team.
Hopefully you can tell the difference between a shortstop's skills and a catcher's skills.
We're not sure yet- since you seem to think San Marino would defeat Alverno.

Pacific prognostication:
1. Burbank
2. CV
3. Burroughs
4. Arcadia
Everybody else

Here we go again. I think we've re-hashed that enough. As a parent, it's your right to think "I blew it," but as someone who's covered high school volleyball for the last eight-plus years, I disagree. By the way, one of sports the Trib doesn't have on the Star-News is volleyball. Lots of talent in these parts, and that Los Altos girl probably wouldn't have made the team either. There were players from Westridge left off, and they swept Gabrielino.
Let me put it in softball terms for you since you've criticized the Duarte tournament setup.
I'm not disputing that Kim is a solid player, but getting 12 kills against the Mission Valley League is like a 20-1 win at the Duarte tournament that you were outraged by. The level of competition just isn't the same as posting numbers and wins over the likes of Flintridge Sacred Heart, Mayfield and even Westridge.

after cv gets the number one spot why do you think arcadia will drop to 4?

I agree with Scott -- why don't some of you 'blog objectors' post your own TOP 10 and the reasons for your choices?

C'mon, we know you have an opinion.

I agree with Scott -- why don't some of you 'blog objectors' post your own TOP 10 and the reasons for your choices?

C'mon, we know you have an opinion.

how about you all dont get this worked up about softball... no one cares about it anyway

The Star News sells alot of papers in Arcadia and picks up alot of advertising revenue from Arcadia-that's why they are listed. They will finish 4th in the Pacific this season, but still be in the top 10.

Alverno appears to be for real after holding its own in a 1-0 loss to Los Altos, one of the top teams in the East San Gabriel Valley.

scott,
you did blow it with the volleyball all area. Los Altos had the all areas mvp and gabrielino blasted them and Kim didnt get anything you always pick favorites you should get out and watch more games! As for softball how can you have 1 win teams in the top ten. if there is no top ten just make a top 5.

Anon: Since you're reading the rankings online and not in the paper, you wouldn't know this, but the rankings were done by Keith Lair. And you referenced last year, that was Freddy.
If you have a complaint about baseball or volleyball, I'm your man.
By the way, instead of just complaining and berating us about the rankings, why don't you put your own. After seeing your rants, I still don't know what team you're for, and you never did let me know what matchups would have been better to cover at the Duarte tournament. I will, however say, thank you for your participation.

Last Year San Marino (6-1) ranked #1 in this paper at the sametime as this year. They went 3-11 in their next 14 games. Could be different this year, but how can you tell?

I wonder if Scott will pick the softball all-area team like he did girl's volleyball? Rather than choose the best at each position-he'll name 8 pitchers to the team.

This just out:

Apples can still not be compared to oranges.

Scott,

I think it was better when you didn't put out stories on softball, because you have no clue what you are talking about. San Marino 1st? Have you seen the teams they beat. I will do the research for you if you don't have the time. The only thing they are #1 in is running up the score on terrible teams. And let me tell you that these teams are bad every single year. This should probably sell some papers in San Marino for you.

Seriously, do you give no credit to non-league strength of schedule, or do you even look at it close enough to know who is playing legitimate teams and who isn't? All that you have to do is go to max preps and see who these teams are that they are beating.

But it is good in the sense that anyone who knows softball knows that these rankings are nonsense. Is that your goal?

correction arcadia is 1-4

There is no way La Canada is getting better. This is the third coach in three years and looking for four. The line up is weak and it appears that a rec league parent makes it so everybody plays.They need some help.They have all the talent they need some coaching!

keppel ftw!